Monitoring the Efficacy of two Brands of
Artemether-Lumefantrine by estimating Malaria Parasite density
Using Actual White blood Cell Count in Adults in Port Harcourt

Lucky L. Nwidu1*, Baribefe M. Bagbi2
and Ette O. Ettebong3

1Department
of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of
Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Choba,
East West Road, Rivers State, Nigeria.2Department of Clinical Pharmacy Management, Faculty
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Choba,
East West Road, Rivers State, Nigeria.3Dept. of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics,
College of Health Sciences, Faculty of Clinical Sciences,
University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding Author’s E-mail: menelucky@yahoo.com

Accepted November 19, 2017

Abstract

Artemisinin-based
Combination Therapies (ACTs) have been widely adopted and
recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) as first-line
treatment for uncomplicated malaria. Safety and tolerability of
this drug is proven but efficacy from various brands is doubtful
and patients reported outcome of efficacy with different brands
is limited and need continuous assessment. An assumed WBCs count
of 8000/µL rather than actual WBC count is accepted as
reasonably accurate in estimating malaria parasite densities due
to the challenge to accurately determine WBCs count in relation
to parasite density. The parasites density from the former is
disadvantage with overestimation of parasite load. This study
compared the efficacy of two brands of Artemether/Lumefantrine,
Amartem forte and Lynsunate forte tablets, by evaluating malaria
parasites clearance per drug. Two groups of patients totaling 67
with clinical symptoms of malaria who reported to pharmacies to
fill their prescriptions were assessed for level of malaria
parasitaemia and white blood cells count per microlitre of blood
prior to, and after the administration of two different drug
products. Thirty two patients took Amatemforte while 35 received
Lynsunateforte tablets. Patients were confirmed not to be on any
other antimalarial drug prior to the administration of these
drug products and were monitored for compliance throughout the
treatment period. The results indicates that26 % of participants
on Lynsunate forte had complete parasite clearance and the
percentage parasite clearance in male and female are 86.3% and
92.5% respectively. For Amatem forte, 6.25 % of participants had
complete parasite clearance while 89.4 % and 91.1 % parasites
clearance were obtained for male and female participants.
Overall, Lynsunate forte demonstrate greater parasite clearance
in the study population justifying their high patronage as
first-line antimalarial drugs than Amatem forte.